China Pakistan technical support confirmed by state media during four-day India conflict

China has, for the first time, acknowledged providing on-site technical assistance to Pakistan during last May’s four-day conflict with India. State broadcaster CCTV aired interviews with engineers linked to Chinese fighter programmes. The comments were later cited by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. China’s foreign ministry and military had earlier played down such claims.

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CCTV interviewed Zhang Heng, an engineer from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute. The institute works on advanced fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle designs. Zhang said Zhang Heng supported Pakistan during the four-day war. Pakistan’s air force flies Chinese-made J-10CE jets from an AVIC subsidiary.

China Pakistan conflict support and CCTV disclosures

Zhang described conditions at the support site during the May fighting. "At the support base, we frequently heard the roar of fighter jets taking off and the constant wail of air-raid sirens. By late morning, in May, the temperature was already approaching 50 degrees Celsius 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a real ordeal for us, both mentally and physically,\" Zhang said.

Zhang said Zhang Heng’s team stayed focused on operational performance during on-site work. \"What drove his team was the desire to do an even better job with on site support and to ensure their equipment could truly perform at its full combat potential,\" Zhang told CCTV. Zhang also linked the work to relationships built during the deployment.

Continuing Zhang’s remarks, Zhang said: \"That wasnt just a recognition of the J10CE; it was also a testament to the deep bond we formed through working side by side, day in and day out,\" he said. The interview was presented by CCTV as part of coverage on Chinese aircraft and overseas use.

China Pakistan conflict support and India allegations

Indian officials have raised claims of Chinese backing for Pakistan during the conflict. Lt General Rahul R Singh said Beijing gave active military help during Operation Sindoor. Lt Gen Singh also said China used the conflict as a live lab. China did not issue an official response to that assertion.

At a FICCI seminar on New Age Military Technologies in July last year, Lt Gen Singh described further details. Lt Gen Singh suggested China’s satellites tracked Indian deployments. Lt Gen Singh said Pakistan received live inputs during DGMO-level phone talks. Lt Gen Singh compared the approach to \"killing the adversary with a borrowed knife\".

Reports said Chinese officials and social media amplified Pakistan’s claims of downing Indian fighter planes. The reports said there was no evidence supporting Islamabad’s assertion. The same accounts said Chinese officials and media did not highlight Pakistan’s collateral damage. These included several terrorist headquarters, key air bases, and claimed radar failures.

China Pakistan conflict support and J-10CE role

CCTV also featured Xu Da from the same Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute. Xu said Xu Da provided on-site support in Pakistan during the war. \"We nurtured it, cared for it, and finally handed it over to the user. And now, it was facing a major test,\" Xu said, comparing the J-10CE to a child.

Xu continued with claims about the aircraft’s performance during combat. \"As for the outstanding results the J-10CE achieved, we werent very surprised, and it didnt feel sudden at all. In fact, it felt inevitable. The aircraft just needed the right opportunity. And when that moment came, it delivered exactly as we knew it would,\" he said.

The J-10CE is an export version of the J-10C 4.5-generation fighter. It is described as the most advanced J-10 series model. The aircraft has an active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radar. It can use advanced Chinese weapons, including air-to-air missiles.

Pakistan is the only known operator of J-10Cs outside China. Pakistan ordered 36 fighters and 250 PL-15 missiles in 2020. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said up to 80 per cent of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2021 and 2025 came from China.

Pakistan’s air force also flies the JF-17 as its main combat aircraft. The JF-17 was developed jointly with China. Meanwhile, media reports in China said Beijing plans to sell its J-35 stealth bomber to Pakistan. Observers said the new disclosures may also support future sales efforts.

With inputs from PTI